Blast kills 13 in former Chief Justice's rally

Islamabad, July 18: At least 13 people were killed and 47 injured in a powerful bomb explosion near a stage erected for a rally, which was to be addressed by former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry yesterday night.

Justice Chaudhry, who was moving in a motorcade to the district court, went to the site of blast but did not address the rally.

Confirming 13 deaths in the explosion, a local police official told the sources that it was not yet clear whether it was a suicide attack, adding that the blast took place at the entrance of the venue of rally in the district court.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will review security arrangements at the federal cabinet meeting today A fool proof security plan is likely to be approved.

Meanwhile, a report from Reuters said the blast went off about 30 metres from the stage that had been set up in a car park in a market area outside the court.

''I saw body parts and limbs scattered all over the place,'' said lawyer Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed.

City police chief Iftikhar Ahmed said the blast appeared to have been caused by a suicide bomber. The city's chief administrator Khalid Pervez said 13 were killed and 47 wounded.

The explosion occurred at a stall set up by the opposition Pakistan People's Party of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, witnesses said.

Witnesses told Geo TV the suicide bomber pulled up on a motorcycle and blew himself up.

Ambulances were taking away the wounded and police were trying to cordon off the area, witnesses said.

President Pervez Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on March 9 after drawing up a set of accusations against him.

The suspension sparked protests by lawyers defending the independence of the judiciary and opposition parties seeking an end to army chief Musharraf's 8-year rule.

UNI